HM Yacht Chatham by Haliburton - Caldercraft - 1:64

[Haliburton]

Hi everyone, I’ve been semi-active on the site for a while now but this is actually my first build log. I’ve previously completed one prior build, Endeavour’s Longboat.  Onward as they say.   I’ve selected Chatham Yacht as a level up in complexity.  I’m attaching some initial kit photos for reference.    Scott

[Thunder]

Great kit and great choice, I really enjoyed this build. Also had best quality of timber out of all my Caldercraft kits. 

[Haliburton]

Thanks all for the likes, and Thunder thank you for looking in, there don’t seem to be many logs of this kit and I’d definitely appreciate your input and insights as I proceed.    Scott 
 

And so begins the sawdust - prepping the prow, keelson and rudder post ahead of gluing 

[Ryland Craze]

Looks like a good kit.  I am glad you have started a build log.

[Thunder]

Hi,

 

Had a quick look and did make some notes as I built it. The below might be relevant to the stage you are at. Of course i might have got these wrong.

 

1. Keel walnut section to short for the plywood piece by 4mm. Not sure what I did about this as looks fine without joints.
2. Found keel slots on bulkheads 1 to 3 not symmetrical or vertical - worth checking because if don't correct hull will look twisted.
3. Found bulkhead 5 oversize and needed material removing and bulkhead 6 needed material adding.
4. Installed additional support to bulkhead 6 for the false deck to stop it pushing down.

Hopefully that will help with your early stages. Like I said just a heads up, your kit may be different or i might have got it wrong. You can see below where I have added to the bottom edge of bulkhead 6.

 

 

 

[Haliburton]

Thank you Thunder, that’s very helpful.  I found the keel just like yours was a tad too short of the rudder post but I filled the gap with glue and sawdust and seems to be fine. I didn’t have any issues with the bulkheads themselves other than questioning myself as to whether I underdid or overdid the suggested bevelling. A photo here of the hull construction with the exception of the inner/outer stern.   Scott 

[Haliburton]

A slight update with the inner/outer stern counters now glued in place and a test fit of the fore and aft deck.  
 

[Haliburton]

I’ve decided to add balsa filler blocks at the bow and possibly the stern - here is the first test fitted but not yet glued.  

[JeffT]

Moved to correct topic date category, 1501-1750.

[Haliburton]

The material accompanying the model does indicate a 1741 launch date but then indicates a rebuild/relaunch date of 1794, and Jotika/Caldercraft indicate that this specific model of the HM Yacht Chatham is based on the 1794 rebuild.  It was on that basis I had selected the original topic date category.   However I will defer to the moderators if they feel 1501-1750 is the most appropriate date category. 

[Haliburton]

The balsa filler blocks being glued in I realized after a dry fit of the foredeck just how much sanding I had in store for me to align to the curvature of the bow.   The result below - the foredeck is still not pinned and glued at this point. 
 

 

[robdurant]

It's definitely a stage worth taking your time over. It will save a whole heap of woe later if you get a smooth run for the planks to the bow. 

[Haliburton]

Thanks Rob, yes I’m trying to be as careful as I can and not rush things. 

[Haliburton]

A brief update - decks are now mounted and outer bulkhead painted black 

[Haliburton]

Ok, a bit of a pause here.  I looked at the only other partial build log of the kit and based on that thought that I sanded too much of the bow balsa filler. I had sanded it down to align with the profile of the foredeck so there was no overhang of the filler, but in doing so it meant that the bow plank termination pattern was fully exposed at the sides and that’s where my planks would end rather than flush with the prow.  So I added on more balsa and sanded so that they are flush with the top of the termination pattern and meet the prow rather than having the plank end meet the side of the termination pattern. Not sure if I’m explaining myself well enough here but the photo with the balsa filler being added back. It does mean that it overhangs the foredeck though - see photo below. Have I got this wrong?  

[Haliburton]

Slow progress in the shipyard but I have done an initial single plank on each of the port and starboard side and have used tick strips and the planking fan to mark the taper on the bulkheads that the planks will need to follow. 

[Haliburton]

Ever so slowly the first planking continues.  I soak each plank several hours and clamp to the ship and let dry. Then I remove the plank and taper. So far this seems to have worked well.  

[Haliburton]

Good afternoon everyone,  It has been a few months since I posted an update. I’ve have had very little time in the shipyard -between work and home and life in general it seems I can only steal away an hour or two on the weekends. I’m now getting to the point where the first planking is largely complete.   I’ve added filler and am working on sanding to try to get as smooth and consistent a base as I can.   Stay safe, Scott 

[Haliburton]

A little more progress with bulkhead fascia installed and some progress at the stern.   Scott

 

[Haliburton]

Good morning everyone,  I was able to get a small start on the second planking on the port side.   

[Haliburton]

Well, not that exciting, but now I have completed the equivalent second planking on the starboard side. I’m trying to do both sides in equal progression for symmetry. I will be doing tick strips and tapering from this point on both sides although I did have to taper the middle planking in the elevated stern section (again equal tapering on bother sides).   

[Haliburton]

Well time has certainly zipped by.  I have been working on Chatham yacht on and off. In hindsight I wish I had posted in progress pictures to benefit from comments. While the second planking wasn’t a total disaster (in my humble opinion) it is not a sight of beauty either. I’ve learned a lot, and next time will apply lessons learned to the spiling and bending process.  Parts of the hull will be painted so that may mask some of my many errors.   Live and learn!  Scott

 

[robdurant]

She's coming along very nicely do keep posting. It's great to see your build coming together.

[Haliburton]

Thanks Rob!  It’s amazing how the photos show imperfections that don’t seem visible to me when I look at it.  Scott

[Haliburton]

I’ve added the decking and forward rail planking.  Unfortunately I realized after I’d glued down the foredeck that I’d used the incorrect wood for planking in the foredeck (wider and different colour variation)  area but as I’ve reached the point of no-return i need to do what I can to make the mismatch less obvious.  I drew some lines on to hopefully make the size less obvious. Now I need to make the colour difference less glaring. Suggestions anyone who may be reading?   Scott 

[Haliburton]

I’ve used of all things a pencil crayon from my daughters supply and hopefully rather than making a bigger mess with the wood colour discrepancy between fore and aft decks have made the difference less obvious. Again it seems things that aren’t as visible with the naked eye stand in sharp contrast when you look at a photo. 

[Haliburton]

A tiny update with all cap rails now installed.   Scott

[Haliburton]

Happy Friday!  Some progress on deck fittings. I found the roof of the structure framed around the door was a nit too small so just created my own from the kit scrap wood.   Scott

[Haliburton]

A bit more progress on the decking fittings.  Not having worked with photoetch before the window panels were not too tricky.  Perhaps I should have tried to simulate glass panes. Not sure if it is too late now.   I was thinking of trying some kristal klear - I’ve never used it before.   Scott

[Haliburton]

Some additional photo etch and hatch coamings now added. 
Scott